MISTI MCKEEHEN
Student leaders gain hands-on experience with United Way
“University of Pittsburgh students were so thankful to have the opportunity to give back to local children.”
Misti McKeehen loves her job as director of PittServes for the University of Pittsburgh. PittServes aims to enhance students’ personal growth and development by providing meaningful opportunities for service and reflection. When she told Pitt’s Student Civic Engagement Council about United Way’s annual Build-A-Bike event, they couldn’t wait to jump in.
Misti shared that too often volunteers only get to see one side of an event, but Build-A-Bike is different: “The students worked together with local kids to assemble the bikes, but the cherry on the cake was the reward of seeing the look on the children’s faces when the bikes were complete and theirs to take home.”
After the bikes were built, Sarah, Jesa and Tom – leaders of Pitt’s Student Civic Engagement Council – stepped up to guide the kids through an obstacle course set up at Heinz Field.
Misti is grateful for the opportunity to show Pitt students how meaningful community service is for their resumes and applications, but also for their personal development.
She looks forward to future opportunities to engage Pitt students with United Way’ work, saying: “I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon. With a focus on teamwork, helping local kids and giving back, Build-A-Bike is just so special.”
